Reviews by oldmancthc

Not a single positive thing I can say about this.

Awesome Armadillo-tank cover. Hard driving, but weird synthy percussion and bass. Wild-style prog-organ. I really want to love this. Side one delivers on all of it, aside from some short prog-for-the-sake-of-prog moments I wasn't wild about. Jeremy Bender opens side two with a jarringly straightforward sound. Compared to the previous 20 minute opener, it just feels out of place. Bitches Crystal follows and doubles-down on the weirdo heard on side one including some unhinged screaming vocals (always a plus). It does maybe go a little too far into the weirdo here and there. The rest of the album is sort of a blend of "trying a bunch of shit" that seems like I'm sitting in on a particularly polished but meandering practice session. Some stunningly talented performances, but just doesn't have the attraction of side one... Except for A Time and A Place, which fucking rocks, and is a true standout in the back half.

While there is definitely some solid blues on here, none of it really feels essential or exceptional. I understand why these guys were always in the shadow of Led Zeppelin

Based on description and when it was made, I really expected to hate this. It was a nice little surprise to learn I do not! While it's a little to "jammy" for my tastes overall, and occasionally drifts off into syrupy melodies, I can appreciate that it's chock full of interesting arrangements, some great layered textures, and plenty of straight forward rockin' to keep me from losing interest.

Great early Psych from San Francisco legends.

Opening with Aqualung into Cross Eyed Mary, songs I've known and loved since childhood, made me think this whole album would be flawless. Much to my surprise, things take an immediate turn toward the twee for a few tracks thereafter. It does pick back up ( then ebbs and flows) as the album progresses but it never hits that strong high-mark it creates with that opening again. Big bonus points for being one of very few rock band that can incorporate a flute and make it should badass. Still doesn't save this from being hits-only album for me though.

Starts out awful... yet somehow manages to get progressively worse.

I generally HATE this type of music. It's sparse and slow, melancholy yet melodious. The vast majority of this genre comes off performative and disingenuous. This is not that. Here there is an authentic emotional weight that you can feel, and that alone seems to be all it takes to reel me in to a style of music I'd normally disregard before the first track was finished.

I can hear a strong early to mid '60s influence here, but the music itself is too "big" in its production to really hit the mark. It's polished to the point or sterility. The orchestral additions feel forced and out of place. The results make it feel a little lifeless. There are a few faster and fuzzier tracks in the middle of the album that appealed to me more, but too much of this simply tries really hard to elevate itself above its own influences when just aping that sound probably would've been better.

Wanted to like this. Morrison has a great voice, but this just sort of drones on with 7-9 minute songs that really start to blend together into monotony.

One of the greatest first generation punk albums made. Genre-defining in its sound, attitude, and themes. Poly Styrene's vocal delivery is incredible; having the power of a battering ram while maintaining a melodic, yet often, satirical sweetness.

Terrible.

Good listen. Very upbeat. Nice blend of synth and post-punk with some solid pop hooks in there to reel you in. This is something I think I'll enjoy even more with multiple listens. Surprised a bit at how tame it sounds for a band that is notorious for their drug-fueled exploits.

Hell yeah, not a bad track on this release!

If I could destroy any full decade of music, rendering it permanently unplayable and unretrievable in any way, it would be the 2000s. I know there would be some collateral damage, but I still think it would be for the betterment of the world.

Have not heard any JSBE since owning Extra Width in the early '90s. This doesn't stray too far from what I remember. I love the overall feel of uninhibited chaos that runs throughout this release. Guitar tones are atrocious in the best way possible. Lots of MC5 style garage rock fused with traditional blues, played at an amphetamine pace. This is an abominable spectacle and I am celebrating it.

Not even through the lens of '90s nostalgia am I able to enjoy this.

Terrible.

This is so difficult to sit through. Truly awful. How does anyone listen to this?

Jazmine's got a great voice and I'd have to award some points for having her heart in the right place with the concepts here... And that's really the only positive thing I have to say about this.